2025 Scholarship Recipients
The Kane County Bar Foundation will award Four scholarships for the calendar year 2026-27.
There will be three scholarships of $3,000 each and one scholarship of $2,500 [The Hon. Patrick Dixon Memorial Scholarship] awarded. Scholarships are awarded to deserving law students based on merit or financial need. The eligibility requirements for the scholarships are the same, with additional consideration of demonstrated financial need for the Hon. Patrick Dixon Scholarship. The Foundation may also take into consideration whether the student intends to practice law in the 16th Judicial Circuit, although this is not a requirement for eligibility. A U.S. residency or citizenship is required for the application.
Students or one of their parents must live in Kane, Kendall or DeKalb County. 1L Students accepted for admission and attending Northern Illinois Law School in the Fall of 2026 can also apply. Students can use the funds for tuition, books, and any law school-related expenses. The scholarship awards funded by the Kane County Bar Foundation will be deposited with the Law School’s Financial Aid Office in the form of a scholarship and disbursed in the fall by that office in accordance with governing Financial Aid policies and procedures.
Those awarded scholarships will be honored at the Kane County Bar Foundation’s Annual Gala on November 14, 2026, including complimentary attendance for the recipient.
The Honorable Patrick Dixon scholarship
The Hon. Patrick Dixon Scholarship was established by his family through his son Liam Dixon Esq. to honor the memory of Judge Dixon. It was Judge Dixon’s wish that a law student in financial need be given assistance. He had a general law practice where he represented many individuals who did not have the financial means for full access to the legal system. Judge Dixon served as a Judge in Kane County from 1979-2002 and then 2006-7. He sat in every court throughout his 23 years on the bench. Judge Dixon grew up in various cities in Northern Illinois, and attended Marquette University, graduating Marquette Law School in 1966. He joined the firm Murphy Griffin, later becoming, Murphy Griffin and Dixon.
Judge Dixon was known for his meticulous and prodigious research. He is remembered as a kind and considerate person who took pains to apply the law to every case in the most considered and evenhanded way. In his words: “When on the bench, do good and avoid evil. Be practical and common sensical; but always apply the law, if it is just, whether I approve of it or not. Also, always have the courage to do so no matter how much I am intimidated or seduced to do otherwise. Finally, be beholden to no person, but be fair to all persons”